[lin_video ]SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – As MGM prepared to make its final proposal to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, supporters and opponents voiced their opinion a potential casino resort coming to Springfield.

Supporters of the MGM Springfield gathered at the company’s Main Street headquarters to take a bus to Boston to see MGM present their case to the state’s gaming commission.

One of those supporters told 22News that he’s worried Springfield will struggle to improve if MGM isn’t awarded the casino license.

“Everyone that I’ve talked to lately, with a little bit of discussion, we seem to jointly agree that this is the best thing that could happen to Springfield now and it’s given people hope,” John Simpson of Holyoke said.

Yet those who oppose the casino say having one in Springfield will make the city worse off.

“When states have done cost-benefit analyses, it shows that the costs more than make up for the benefits, and the damage it does to communities in terms of social issues, drunk driving,” said Ted Steger, founder of the group No Casino Springfield.

The state’s gaming commission told 22News this week they expect to make the decision whether or not to award MGM the license by May.